UK Prime Minister’s ‘People’s Forum’ On GB News The Latest To Be Probed By Ofcom

deadline.com:

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak‘s hour-long ‘grilling’ on GB News is the right-leaning network’s latest to be probed by Ofcom. People’s Forum: The Prime Minister attracted more than 500 complaints, the regulator said today, as Sunak answered questions from an audience on a range of topics before the show cut back to the studio and a Conservative lawmaker was asked for his “verdict.” There were no alternative viewpoints sought throughout the show.

Ofcom said this morning that People’s Forum is being investigated under Rules 5.11 and 5.12 of its Broadcasting Code, “which provide additional due impartiality requirements for programmes dealing with matters of major political controversy and major matters relating to current public policy.” “Specifically, Rules 5.11 and 5.12 require that an appropriately wide range of significant views must be included and given due weight in such programmes, or in clearly linked and timely programmes,” it added.

The move shows that GB News will continue falling foul of the Broadcasting Code as we enter 2024. GB News is currently being investigated by Ofcom for around a dozen other shows including many over impartiality issues and the issue of political figures presenting topical programs.

Deadline revealed last month that Ofcom has delayed publishing research on politicians presenting news shows until the UK media regulator has reached crucial rulings on GB News.